This song is available on Vitamin L's
Sing For Dr. King! Vitamin L Songs For a Beloved Community
When Dr. King was just a boy he learned about black and white,
And about the laws that took away black people’s civil rights.
He fought for what he knew to be fair and great truth flowed from him.
He said, “We should be judged by our character, not the color of our skin.”
The right to vote was guaranteed to everyone in the nation,
But there were folks who were trying to stop black voter registration.
To Selma Martin went to march and thousands did arrive,
This is what lead to the Voting Rights Act of 1965!
CHORUS:
He had a heart so big, it covered the land,
It covered every child, woman and man,
His legs kept a walkin,’
His voice kept a talkin,’
Because he had a heart so big!
Martin’s heart went out to the poor so he questioned the government,
“Why is so much money going to the war, but on poverty so little is spent?”
He would not silence what he felt; he spoke out fearlessly.
He said, “Fighting this war is a waste and a shame.
Let’s fight the war on poverty!”
CHORUS
Most people know that Martin died in Memphis Tennessee.
Not everybody knows why he was there.
Helping sanitation workers get a living wage and their rights,
Right up to the end he was fighting the good fight!
CHORUS, then:
His legs kept a walkin,’
His voice kept a talkin,’
Because he had a heart so big!
Book/Product Suggestions for this Song:
See more of our Social Studies, African-American History, School Concert, Character Education, Biography and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Song Lyrics
Many thanks to Jan Nigro and Vitamin L for permission to publish these lyrics.
© Jaminination Music BMI. Used with permission.
